Sally Baas Director of Seat Program

About Sally Baas

Dr. Baas, director of Concordia's Southeast Asian Teacher Licensure Program, is committed to building a community of lifelong intercultural learners. She joined the Concordia staff in 2002 as an adjunct faculty member in the Southeast Asian Teacher Licensure and Special Education Teacher Education Programs. Baas has devoted her teaching to preparing future educators for diversity in the classroom and developing teaching methods to best serve students of various ethnic backgrounds.

For more than 40 years, Baas has been training students at all levels. She brings her expertise to general students and students with special needs and has served as a behavioral assessor, consultant, dean, principal, and also as a school psychologist. She has worked in the collegiate ranks for more than 15 years, passing on her passion and knowledge to future educators. Baas also serves as the Minnesota Teacher Performance Assessment Coordinator. She has numerous publications related to school psychology, reducing assessment bias and preparing children to learn.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Ed.D., St. Mary's University (2011)

Ed.S., School Psychology, University of Wisconsin, River Falls (2000)

M.S., Education, School Psychology, University of Wisconsin, River Falls (1990)

B.S., English/Journalism Education, Ball State (1969)

Administrative Licensure, St. Mary's University (1999)

Pre-K-12 School Psychologist Professional Licensure

Grades 7-12 Journalism Professional Licensure

K-12 Principle Professional Licensure

ACADEMIC FOCUS

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“My career highlight has been developing the Hmong Culture and Language Program at Concordia. This program serves as a means of planting the seeds of higher education for K-12 students while helping Hmong students preserve their Hmong culture through storytelling, gardening and the arts, and in doing cutting edge research with the Hmong 18 Council in the Twin Cities.”

Richard Benson Chair of Teacher Education

About Richard Benson

Rick Benson has served in the Kinesiology and Health Science department at Concordia since 2000. As an instructor, Benson has developed department curriculum and has served as a student-teacher supervisor and advisor. Currently, Benson is serving as Interim Chair of the Department of Teacher Education. Benson also conducts and facilitates online learning as an adjunct instructor with the School of Continuing Studies.

Benson spent six years teaching health and physical education before moving into the college ranks at Concordia. He was an exhibitor at three recent Minnesota School Health Conferences and is an active member of several professional associations. He served as president of the Minnesota Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MNAHPERD) from 2006-08.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

M.A., Education, St. Mary's University – Twin Cities (2001)

B.A., Physical Education, Concordia College, St. Paul (1994)

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Teaching methods, health and human movement, community safety and first aid/CPR, program administration, human life experience

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

“I feel called to teach to help students grow personally and professionally in every dimension of their life.”

Phyl Burger Instructor Education

Cheryl Chatman Ed.D Dean of Diversity

About Cheryl Chatman Ed.D

Dr. Cheryl T. Chatman has served as the Executive Vice President and Dean of Diversity at Concordia University, St. Paul since 2000. She works closely with the president and campus to help provide a climate necessary for institutional excellence, and serves as a link between and among the campus and the larger community.

Cheryl is a recent recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Council of Black Minnesotans; Iowa State University’s Alumni Achievement Award; and the UMOJA Community Award for maintaining Unity in families, community, nation and race. Models Cities, the Minnesota Performance Institute and Life Skills Development Center honored her for dedication and service to the community, and she has also been recognized by the university Staff Organization Executive Board for Excellence in Action, for a caring heart, love for people, being the heart of the campus, and assisting in reflecting Concordia as a Christian university.

ACADEMIC / PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Ed.D., Educational Administration, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1991)

M.S., Child Development, Iowa State University (1976)

B.S., Psychology, Bethune-Cookman College (1974)

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Campus and community diversity, multicultural and leadership presentations, activities, events, training and conferences.

Lynn Gehrke Coord Online ECE Program

About Lynn Gehrke

Dr. Lynn Gehrke is a professional educator with more than 20 years of experience teaching learners at all levels, from Pre-K through the collegiate ranks. She has been preparing future educators at Concordia since 1999. Dr. Gehrke specializes in early childhood and elementary education. She has coordinated Concordia's Early Childhood Education online programs since 1999.

ACADEMIC FOCUS

Child guidance and classroom management, curriculum and instruction, observation and assessment in Pre-K through elementary years.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

"I see teaching as a time to intentionally build relationships with students, motivate and inspire, and create learning together. My students teach me as much as I teach them. The highlight of my teaching is to go beyond the academic classroom into the classrooms of my B.A and M.A. students to model, consult and co-teach. Their invitations to me are humbling and exciting."